Skip to main content
Install and maintain

Replace the real-time clock battery - AFF C30 and AFF C60

Contributors netapp-jsnyder
PDFs

You replace the real-time clock (RTC) battery in the controller so that your storage system's services and applications that depend on accurate time synchronization continue to function.

Before you begin

All other components in the storage system must be functioning properly; if not, you must contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

About this task

  • You can use this procedure with all versions of ONTAP supported by your storage system.

  • If needed, you can turn on the storage system location (blue) LEDs to aid in physically locating the affected storage system. Log into the BMC using SSH and enter the system location-led on command.

    A storage system has three location LEDs: one on the operator display panel and one on each controller. Location LEDs remain illuminated for 30 minutes.

    You can turn them off by entering the system location-led off command. If you are unsure if the LEDs are on or off, you can check their state by entering the system location-led show command.

Step 1: Shut down the impaired controller

Shut down or take over the impaired controller.

To shut down the impaired controller, you must determine the status of the controller and, if necessary, take over the controller so that the healthy controller continues to serve data from the impaired controller storage.

About this task

  • If you have a SAN system, you must have checked event messages (cluster kernel-service show) for the impaired controller SCSI blade. The cluster kernel-service show command (from priv advanced mode) displays the node name, quorum status of that node, availability status of that node, and operational status of that node.

    Each SCSI-blade process should be in quorum with the other nodes in the cluster. Any issues must be resolved before you proceed with the replacement.

  • If you have a cluster with more than two nodes, it must be in quorum. If the cluster is not in quorum or a healthy controller shows false for eligibility and health, you must correct the issue before shutting down the impaired controller; see Synchronize a node with the cluster.

Steps

  1. If AutoSupport is enabled, suppress automatic case creation by invoking an AutoSupport message: system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=<# of hours>h

    The following AutoSupport message suppresses automatic case creation for two hours: cluster1:> system node autosupport invoke -node * -type all -message MAINT=2h

  2. Disable automatic giveback from the console of the healthy controller: storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback false

    Note When you see Do you want to disable auto-giveback?, enter y.

  3. Take the impaired controller to the LOADER prompt:

    If the impaired controller is displaying…​ Then…​

    The LOADER prompt

    Go to the next step.

    Waiting for giveback…​

    Press Ctrl-C, and then respond y when prompted.

    System prompt or password prompt

    Take over or halt the impaired controller from the healthy controller: storage failover takeover -ofnode impaired_node_name

    When the impaired controller shows Waiting for giveback…​, press Ctrl-C, and then respond y.

Step 2: Remove the controller

You must remove the controller from the chassis when you replace the controller or replace a component inside the controller.

Before you begin

All other components in the storage system must be functioning properly; if not, you must contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

Steps

  1. On the impaired controller, make sure the NV LED is off.

    When the NV LED is off, destaging is complete and it is safe to remove the impaired controller.

    Note If the NV LED is flashing (green), destage is in progress. You must wait for the NV LED to turn off. However, if the flashing continues for longer than five minutes, contact NetApp Support before continuing with this procedure.

    The NV LED is located next to the NV icon on the controller.

    NV status LED location
Callout number 1

NV icon and LED on the controller

  1. If you are not already grounded, properly ground yourself.

  2. Disconnect the power on the impaired controller:

    Note Power supplies (PSUs) do not have a power switch.
    If you are disconnecting a…​ Then…​

    AC PSU

    1. Open the power cord retainer.

    2. Unplug the power cord from the PSU and set it aside.

    DC PSU

    1. Unscrew the two thumb screws on the D-SUB DC power cord connector.

    2. Unplug the power cord from the PSU and set it aside.

  3. Unplug all cables from the impaired controller.

    Keep track of where the cables were connected.

  4. Remove the impaired controller:

    The following illustration shows the operation of the controller handles (from the left side of the controller) when removing a controller:

    controller handle operation to remove a controller
    Callout number 1

    On both ends of the controller, push the vertical locking tabs outward to release the handles.
    Callout number 2

    • Pull the handles towards you to unseat the controller from the midplane.

      As you pull, the handles extend out from the controller and then you feel some resistance, keep pulling.

    • Slide the controller out of the chassis while supporting the bottom of the controller, and place it on a flat, stable surface.
    Callout number 3

    If needed, rotate the handles upright (next to the tabs) to move them out of the way.

  5. Open the controller cover by turning the thumbscrew counterclockwise to loosen, and then open the cover.

Step 3: Replace the RTC battery

Remove the failed RTC battery and install the replacement RTC battery.

  1. Locate the RTC battery.

  2. Remove the RTC battery:

    Replace the RTC battery
    Callout number 1

    Gently rotate the RTC battery at an angle away from its holder.
    Callout number 2

    Lift the RTC battery out of its holder.

  3. Install the replacement RTC battery:

    1. Remove the replacement battery from the antistatic shipping bag.

    2. Position the battery so that the plus sign on the battery faces out to correspond with the plus sign on the motherboard.

    3. Insert the battery into the holder at an angle, and then push it into an upright position so it is fully seated in the holder.

    4. Visually inspect the battery to make sure that it is completely seated in its holder and that the polarity is correct.

Step 4: Reinstall the controller

Reinstall the controller into the chassis and reboot it.

About this task

The following illustration shows the operation of the controller handles (from the left side of a controller) when reinstalling the controller, and can be used as a reference for the rest of the controller reinstallation steps.

controller handle operation to install a controller
Callout number 1

If you rotated the controller handles upright (next to the tabs) to move them out of the way while you serviced the controller, rotate them down to the horizontal position.
Callout number 2

Push the handles to reinsert the controller into the chassis halfway and then, when instructed, push until the controller is fully seated.
Callout number 3

Rotate the handles to the upright position and lock in place with the locking tabs.
Steps

  1. Close the controller cover and turn the thumbscrew clockwise until tightened.

  2. Insert the controller halfway into the chassis.

    Align the rear of the controller with the opening in the chassis, and then gently push the controller using the handles.

    Note Do not completely insert the controller in the chassis until instructed to do so.

  3. Connect the console cable to the console port on the controller and to the laptop so that the laptop receives console messages when the controller reboots.

  4. Fully seat the controller in the chassis:

    1. Firmly push on the handles until the controller meets the midplane and is fully seated.

      Note Do not use excessive force when sliding the controller into the chassis; it could damage the connectors.

    2. Rotate the controller handles up and lock in place with the tabs.

      Note The controller begins to boot as soon as it is fully seated in the chassis.

  5. Take the controller to the LOADER prompt by pressing CTRL-C to abort AUTOBOOT.

  6. Set the time and date on the controller:

    Make sure you are at the controller's LOADER prompt.

    1. Display the date and time on the controller:

      show date

      Note Time and date default is in GMT. You have the option to display in local time and in 24hr mode.

    2. Set the current time in GMT:

      set time hh:mm:ss

      You can get the current GMT from the healthy node:

      date -u

    3. Set the current date in GMT:

      set date mm/dd/yyyy

      You can get the current GMT from the healthy node:
      date -u

  7. Recable the controller as needed.

  8. Reconnect the power cord to the power supply (PSU).

    Once power is restored to the PSU, the status LED should be green.

    If you are reconnecting a…​ Then…​

    AC PSU

    1. Plug the power cord into the PSU.

    2. Secure the power cord with the power cord retainer.

    DC PSU

    1. Plug the D-SUB DC power cord connector into the PSU.

    2. Tighten the two thumb screws to secure the D-SUB DC power cord connector to the PSU.

Step 5: Reset the time and date on the controller

Note After replacing the RTC battery, inserting the controller and powering on first BIOS reset, you will see the following error messages: RTC date/time error. Reset date/time to default RTC power failure error These messages are expected and you can continue with this procedure.

  1. On the healthy controller, check the date and time with the cluster date show command.

    Note If your storage system stops at the boot menu, select the option for Reboot node and respond y when prompted, then boot to LOADER by pressing Ctrl-C.

  2. On the impaired controller, at the LOADER prompt, check the time and date: cluster date show

    1. If necessary, modify the date: set date mm/dd/yyyy

    2. If necessary, set the time, in GMT: set time hh:mm:ss

    3. Confirm the date and time.

  3. At the LOADER prompt, enter bye to reinitialize the I/O modules, other components, and let the controller reboot.

  4. Return the controller to normal operation by giving back its storage: storage failover giveback -ofnode impaired_node_name

  5. If automatic giveback was disabled, reenable it: storage failover modify -node local -auto-giveback true

Step 6: Return the failed part to NetApp

Return the failed part to NetApp, as described in the RMA instructions shipped with the kit. See the Part Return and Replacements page for further information.